Recent content by BurkeJ

I have a small titanium stove. After dumping coals it's usually cool enough to pack away by the time I pack up my tent and sleeping gear. Steel stoves are going to take a bit longer to cool down.

Dead key fob battery... Got into vehicle with physical key attached. Though this set off car alarm, not the most pleasant way to introduce yourself to fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Brand name replacement didn't work, had to get 'knock off' from the dealer.

I was 47 when I bought my new to me Blackhawk Combi 15.8. That was 8 years ago. Joined a paddle club looking to do more kayaking on the Great Lakes… At my first meeting sat next to a Canadian. After a brief conversation; he asked me why I was looking for a new kayak when I really wanted a...

Kinda starting out myself. Stayed on the inexpensive/lightweight side to check it out. FireHiking tent and titanium stove. Not the most efficient stove. I’ve only used it a few times in shoulder season. A lot of cozy fun.

I'll be stopping by from time to time... Will be attending the Slip Clinic near by. Looking forward to evening paddles at the Rendezvous to help me determine my next 'new' boat and meet new friends. I'll be bringing my Ocoee for the Slip. need to leave space atop just incase I find...

6 or 7 years old. Family camping trip, I believe we stopped by Killarney while circumnavigating Georgian Bay. Six of us; Mom in the bow, Dad astern, 4 kids in the middle. Day tripping, stopping on a small island to collect blueberries during lunch break. Paddled out to realize there was a...

I also have the Kelty mat for car camping, it’s convenient. Has anyone tried the CGear sand free mat? Looks interesting…

If you're still considering a WildFire; I live in the Pinckney area, on Bass Lake. Happy to let you demo mine. Pretty close to Ron/Unadilla Boatworks, if you wanted to arrange a side by side comparison; would love to join ya.

in short, WF flat water DF moving water Both will do both well, just do it a little differently. WF more easily responds to freestyle techniques, bit more room to move about in front of the seat. Handles easy rapids without problems but definitely not as dry of a boat. DF handles wind...

like most boats it wants to point into the wind. Last trip I seemed to have an easier time keeping course down wind and with quartering winds than friends in YSsolo’s

I paddle a Wildfire and Dragonfly (mine are Colden’s). Paddled the D15 plug in 2024 and a Kevlar Fusion version along side a Cirrus this past September. Basically agree with what’s been said here. They’re great boats. The D15 and Cirrus aren’t as lively as the Dragonfly or Wildfire...

16 oz. Nalgene bottle. Purchased in 1991. Spent its first 25 years clipped to a climbing harness (once accidentally dropped off a 400 foot rock face, found the next day hiking out). Last 10 years bouncing between by work bag and day (canoe) pack.

I've had one with me on most every camping trip for years (decades); especially on cool/cold trips. Really helps remove dampness from the tent and even helps dry socks. Never had a fear/problem using in the tent. Not gonna replace a headlamp, but it provides enough light to get by. I've also...

If my trip involves any WW, I use float bags. I was really surprised how low my composite boat floats and how much maneuverability is lost with just a bit of water, and how much of a rock it is when swamped compared to Royalex. The safety against wraps and even just piece of mind is well worth...